Louisiana Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
Louisiana rules on lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-23.
Short answer: Louisiana's eviction procedure runs through the courts: after a notice to vacate, the landlord files a rule to show cause, gets a judgment of eviction, and a warrant for possession is executed by the sheriff, constable or marshal (Code of Civil Procedure arts. La. C.C.P. arts. 4701, 4731-4734
The rules in Louisiana
| Lockouts and illegal eviction | Louisiana's eviction procedure runs through the courts: after a notice to vacate, the landlord files a rule to show cause, gets a judgment of eviction, and a warrant for possession is executed by the sheriff, constable or marshal (Code of Civil Procedure arts. 4701, 4731-4734). After the required notice, a landlord may retake possession without further court process only on a reasonable belief that the tenant has abandoned the premises (art. 4731(B)). In parishes under a federal disaster declaration, leaving the home is not treated as abandonment for 30 days; a landlord who violates that rule owes the residential tenant $500 or twice the monthly rent, whichever is greater, and the tenant may get a restraining order (art. 4731(C)). The articles read do not set a general damages amount for lockouts outside the disaster-declaration rule in art. 4731(C). Source: La. C.C.P. arts. 4701, 4731-4734 |
|---|---|
| Landlord retaliation | No statewide statute identified. In New Orleans, the city's Healthy Homes ordinance protects tenants who use its complaint process ('protected activity'). No anti-retaliation provision was found in the Civil Code lease title, R.S. 9:3251-3259, or C.C.P. Title XI. Secondary sources (Loyola Pro Bono Desk Manual) say Louisiana has no statutory ban and that courts may treat retaliation as an abuse-of-rights defense. They also report New Orleans City Code secs. 26-680/26-681 (eff. July 1, 2023) with a 6-month presumption. |
Related questions
Louisiana vs. neighboring states
| State | Lockouts and illegal eviction | Landlord shutting off utilities | Landlord retaliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Louisiana's eviction procedure runs through the courts: after a notice to vacate, the landlord files a rule to show cause, gets a judgment of eviction, and a warrant for possession is executed by the sheriff, constable or marshal (Code of Civil Procedure arts. 4701, 4731-4734). After the required notice, a landlord may retake possession without further court process only on a reasonable belief that the tenant has abandoned the premises (art. 4731(B)). In parishes under a federal disaster declaration, leaving the home is not treated as abandonment for 30 days; a landlord who violates that rule owes the residential tenant $500 or twice the monthly rent, whichever is greater, and the tenant may get a restraining order (art. 4731(C)). La. C.C.P. arts. 4701, 4731-4734 | Not verified yet | No statewide statute identified. In New Orleans, the city's Healthy Homes ordinance protects tenants who use its complaint process ('protected activity'). New Orleans Healthy Homes Ordinance (City Code ch. 26) |
| Arkansas | Not verified yet | Not verified yet | No statute — Arkansas has no landlord anti-retaliation statute. The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (Ch. 17) and the deposit subchapter contain no retaliation provision or presumption period. Ark. Code Ann. Title 18, Ch. 17 (§§ 18-17-101 et seq.); §§ 18-16-301 to -306 |
| Mississippi | Not verified yet | Not verified yet | Very limited. There is no general anti-retaliation statute and no presumption period. The only reference is in § 89-8-17(2): after a lease expires, a landlord may raise the rent only if the action's dominant purpose was not retaliation for the tenant's actions authorized under the Act, and the landlord had received written notice of each condition the tenant acted on. Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-17(2) |
| Texas | A landlord may not remove doors, windows, locks or landlord-supplied furniture or appliances (except for bona fide repair), and may not keep a tenant out without a court order except for repairs or emergencies, removing contents of abandoned premises, or changing locks for unpaid rent. A lock change for unpaid rent requires a lease clause and advance written notice, and the landlord must give the tenant a new key at any hour even if the rent is not paid. If the landlord violates these rules, the tenant may get back possession or end the lease and recover one month's rent plus $1,000, actual damages, court costs and attorney's fees, less rent owed. The tenant can also file a sworn complaint for a writ of reentry in justice court. Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.0081, 92.009 | No. A landlord may not interrupt utilities the tenant pays the utility for directly, or water, wastewater, gas or electricity the landlord furnishes, except for bona fide repairs, construction or an emergency (submetered electricity may be cut for nonpayment only under strict notice rules). If the landlord violates this, the tenant may get back possession or end the lease and recover actual damages, one month's rent plus $1,000, attorney's fees and court costs, less any rent owed. The tenant can also ask the justice court for a writ of restoration of utility service. A landlord who agreed to pay for utilities is also liable if service is cut off for the landlord's nonpayment; the tenant may then pay the utility and deduct it from rent or end the lease. Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.008, 92.0091, 92.301 | Landlord may not, within six months after a tenant in good faith exercises a legal right, gives a repair notice, complains to a code-enforcement or other agency, or participates in a tenant organization, file an eviction (except on statutory grounds), deprive use of the premises, decrease services, raise rent, terminate the lease, or engage in bad-faith interference. Remedy: one month's rent + $500, actual damages, court costs and attorney's fees. Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.331; 92.332; 92.333 |
City rules that may add to state law
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Louisiana Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation FAQ
Can a landlord change the locks without a court order in Louisiana?
Louisiana's eviction procedure runs through the courts: after a notice to vacate, the landlord files a rule to show cause, gets a judgment of eviction, and a warrant for possession is executed by the sheriff, constable or marshal (Code of Civil Procedure arts. 4701, 4731-4734). After the required notice, a landlord may retake possession without further court process only on a reasonable belief that the tenant has abandoned the premises (art. 4731(B)). In parishes under a federal disaster declaration, leaving the home is not treated as abandonment for 30 days; a landlord who violates that rule owes the residential tenant $500 or twice the monthly rent, whichever is greater, and the tenant may get a restraining order (art. 4731(C)). (La. C.C.P. arts. 4701, 4731-4734)
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Louisiana?
No statewide statute identified. In New Orleans, the city's Healthy Homes ordinance protects tenants who use its complaint process ('protected activity'). (New Orleans Healthy Homes Ordinance (City Code ch. 26))
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.